Comment on "Rescue" tools

hso · Jul 16, 2020

AG Russell's weekly specials email caught my eye because it featured knives/tools for rescue. I must admit to having some strong feelings about what gets called a rescue tool since avoiding cutting a victim is pretty important and having an tool you can afford to loose is valuable. Not everything featured fit both requirements in my mind.

The three that were safe to use and inexpensive enough to risk loosing are.

I've handled/worked with one of the three and it is the Bear Claw. I can attest it cuts clothing, straps, belts, and straps well. It is a rescue tool and not a general use knife. Back when I sold knives to organizations I sold many of these and the reports back were always positive (and sometimes amusing).

I like that the Leatherman Z-rex is aluminum and therefore less likely to break. I haven't handled it yet.

I can't comment on the CST other than to say it was developed by a pro that knows what's needed, the price is right, and the risk to the victim is minimal.

They Spyderco products are expensive enough that I'd give them second place just because of price, but I've used the Rescue before and keep one in my car (although the Bear Claw is in my first aid kit in the trunk). Good products.

The pointy knives, especially the Provoke, won't be included for consideration in this role.

kBob · Jul 16, 2020

Still, the times we live in....An LEO that stopped the Spousal unit for speeding questioned why she would have a rescue hammer accessable from where she sat strapped in the driver's seat and implied that it was a weapon. You know a cheap plastic handled hammer shaped tool with glass breaking point on one hammer face and flat spot on the other, a guarded belt cutter in the handle, and a cheap LED flashlight in the base.

It is almost like some LEO (like non sworn people as well) go out of their way to irritate folks.

-kBob

CapnMac · Jul 16, 2020

While helping out at the Disaster City training field, I was spotted a really nice gimme version of the Leatherman, it ws not a leatherman--had no markings, and was likely a prototype or non-promotional sales sample. Had an AL frame buried in a squeezy (barely) vinyl grip. Instead of a nub point, the glass breaker was a carbide wedge resembling a screwdriver tip. That latter probably being of some use if one were having to get through a windshield, and the blade edge handy in a submerged vehicle.

Sadly it was forgotten in a center console when the vehicle was sold. Have had to get by with the Leatherman version ever since.

The Evangelist Cowboy · Jul 17, 2020

I'll be buying one soon enough. I'm in the local colleges police academy starting in August. While I dont believe I'll be in alot of situations that require this tool I'm sure it's quite possible I will need one that's not my regular knife.

GEM · Jul 17, 2020

Got a Spyderco and one of those little glass breaker/cutters in a little compartment above the rear view mirror.

lemaymiami · Jul 17, 2020

Years and years ago when there were very few
“Rescue tools” on the market... I decided to simply stick with my old Henckels folder (looks like a full sized Case Sodbuster but with cherry wood scales and a bit thinner carbon steel blade that was very, very sharp) that was always with me, in harness or not... It performed just about every emergency function but you had to be careful and actually paying attention. It was also my last ditch defensive weapon - fortunately never needed.

For kBob... unfortunately policing has nearly the same number of jerks - as the general population... Wish it weren’t so.

HiDive · Jul 17, 2020

My Wife bought one of those hammer escape tools and has it very accessible in her car and if we were stopped and asked that question by an LEO I am afraid of what I would say to him much less what my Wife might say.

My opinion is that if we are talking about a situation where you could save someone's life then I am not worrying about possibly cutting them or myself and I am certainly not worrying about the expense of the implement used. I have a pair of the Leatherman Raptor scissors in my car. They are extremely heavy duty and quite capable but, I have no idea what I paid for them a few years ago.

hso · Jul 17, 2020

HiDive said:
My opinion is that if we are talking about a situation where you could save someone's life then I am not worrying about possibly cutting them

If all you have is a Buck 110 and you have no choice to save a life, go for it.

If you're buying a tool for this purpose there's no sense in buying the lesser tool.

My sail plane instructor bled to death because the wrong tool was used in a whitewater rescue attempt and that made an impression on me to have the right tool for this purpose.

ClickClickD'oh · Jul 17, 2020

I have had one of those Boker Cop tools clipped to my gear bag for years. Damn handy piece of kit. It's a scraper, pry bar, window punch and seat belt cutter in one tool. It's got more than a decade of use on it now and is still going strong. My only gripe is that the sheath it comes with is kind of loose.

John Joseph · Jul 17, 2020

I kept my Spyderco Rescue clipped to my trousers while I was on the Sheriff's SAR posse. Good stuff!
We have a S&W BorderGuard in the glove box. Dirt cheap but has a glass breaker and seatbelt cutter.
I'm good with that.

JohnKSa · Jul 18, 2020

My opinion is that if we are talking about a situation where you could save someone's life then I am not worrying about possibly cutting them or myself and I am certainly not worrying about the expense of the implement used.

Whoooo... That made me shudder. I would really hate to try to use my current EDC to cut someone out of a seatbelt unless I could get a nice clear section of seatbelt to work with. The point is not remotely suitable for sliding between a seatbelt and a living person.

Fortunately I usually carry a multitool with a serrated sheepsfoot blade that would be suitable (albeit perhaps not ideal) for that kind of work.

I'm not saying I would let someone burn or drown because my EDC was a really bad choice for the job, but I would never buy a knife like it for use as a rescue tool.

rust collector · Jul 18, 2020

Outdoor Edge makes the Zip Blade, a $20 tool designed for opening without puncturing, and it is incorporated in the Swing Blade, which had a conventional blade that may be rotated into the handle to expose the (un)zip blade. I am not a first responder, but I am clumsy enough to keep a crash kit that has one of these in it. https://www.outdooredge.com/collections/hunting-processing/products/swingblade-sb-10n

hso · Jul 18, 2020

That Zip Pro would be good to have.

https://www.outdooredge.com/products/zip-pro-zo-10c?_pos=1&_sid=8d114747d&_ss=r

I sent an email to David Bloch suggesting combining a hook cutter with the zip on a swingblade for a purpose built rescue piece.

sgt127 · Jul 18, 2020

kBob said:
Still, the times we live in....An LEO that stopped the Spousal unit for speeding questioned why she would have a rescue hammer accessable from where she sat strapped in the driver's seat and implied that it was a weapon. You know a cheap plastic handled hammer shaped tool with glass breaking point on one hammer face and flat spot on the other, a guarded belt cutter in the handle, and a cheap LED flashlight in the base.

It is almost like some LEO (like non sworn people as well) go out of their way to irritate folks.

-kBob

It’s amazing what I’ve seen other cops get keyed up about. Probably a case of “I don’t know what that is but, why would you want it in your car?”

I stopped a tiny little older black lady once for blowing a stop sign. 10:00 at night.

I asked for DL and insurance. Handed me the DL and started fishing around in the glove box for insurance. She had to move her 2” Model 10 out of the way.

(This was before it was legal to carry in Texas)

She handed me her insurance...

“Ma’am? You know it’s kinda, sorta illegal for you to carry a gun like that?

“Baby, I work late nights as a telephone operator in South Dallas...”

“ma’am? Have you ever been stopped and searched by the PO-lice?”

“Oh heavens NO Officer!”

“You suppose it might be better to wrap that gun up and tuck it between the seats so I don’t have to see it if I pull you over again? Sure would make life easier for all of us.”

“Oh baby, that’s a fine idea! Thank you!”

“Have a lovely evening ma’am.”

Life was easy back then.

Double_J · Jul 18, 2020

A friend of mine who is a fireman/paramedic carrys a pallet strap cutter (think letter opener type blade) as part of his daily work kit. He says it works almost as good as a razor knife at cutting straps and seat belts and it will not cut the victim in normal operation. He also carrys a spyderco rescue blade for more aggressive cutting. He would feel bad if he cut someone with a knife when he could use a better tool for the job.

His cutter is similar to the leatherman z-rex shown in the first post. He buys them from Grainger buy the case and hands them out to all of the guys in his station house.

HiDive · Jul 18, 2020

JohnKSa said:
Whoooo... That made me shudder. I would really hate to try to use my current EDC to cut someone out of a seatbelt unless I could get a nice clear section of seatbelt to work with. The point is not remotely suitable for sliding between a seatbelt and a living person.

Fortunately I usually carry a multitool with a serrated sheepsfoot blade that would be suitable (albeit perhaps not ideal) for that kind of work.

I'm not saying I would let someone burn or drown because my EDC was a really bad choice for the job, but I would never buy a knife like it for use as a rescue tool.

I thought my point was obvious and that is that I don't carry a rescue tool on me under any conditions (I have one in the car). And If I were some where that an accident occurred and it was a choice between a burning car and using my XM-24 to cut someone out, then I would risk it. I would not even move a victim of a car crash unless there was immediate danger, ie fire, drowning, exposion, etc..

ugaarguy · Jul 18, 2020

Spyderco does have their Byrd budget line knives manufacturer in China make rescue versions of the much less expensive Meadowlark (if you're in a 3" or under blade jurisdiction) and Cara Cara - https://www.bladehq.com/?search=byrd+rescue. Sal has said on Spyderco's forum that the imported knives still get QC checked in Golden, CO before they're sent out to dealers.

hso · Jul 19, 2020

sgt127 · Jul 19, 2020

I carried this clipped inside the front of my body armor for many years.

There weren’t that many “rescue knife” options available back in the day. I think I got it in 1991 or so.

jeepnik · Jul 19, 2020

While probably a forgotten dinosaur the USAF V blade knife was a wonderful tool. I still carry one in my Jeep.

They would slice right through belts, smash glass and even had a device to undo quick disconnect screws on aircraft. I carried one in the pocket of my turnouts almost from day one. Sadly I lost it just before I was discharged.

bannockburn · Jul 19, 2020

lemaymiami

I decided to simply stick with my old Henckels folder (looks like a full sized Case Sodbuster but with cherry wood scales and a bit thinner carbon steel blade that was very, very sharp) that was always with me, in harness or not... It performed just about every emergency function but you had to be careful and actually paying attention. It was also my last ditch defensive weapon - fortunately never needed.

I still have an old Puma folder that sounds a bit like your Henckels folder. For many years it was my do-everything knife long before I started carrying SAKs.

Mars5l · Jul 19, 2020

I keep a Kershaw Blur Glassbreaker clipped to my visor of my own car. It was a carbide tip on the grip to break glass. I also dont understan ppl who leave their rescue tool not attached close to you. Always loose in the door pocket or laying elsewhere. Not only will it go flying away in the event of a rollover accident and you won't be able to reach it, some of those rescue hammers are big and can smack as you go flipping.

I can say from personal experience from being in a roller over accident. I was hanging upside down belted in to the seat of my mustang. I didn't need a knife but if I needed one sunvisor in arms length would have been preferred

lemaymiami · Jul 20, 2020

Very similar, Bannock... The main difference was a "sodbuster" style blade that locks into place... I still have it somewhere but it's totally unsuitable around saltwater - where I spend my days (and nights...) since it would rust up in short order - but man, that thing was head and shoulders sharper in actual cutting power than any other blade I've ever owned...

23tony · Jul 22, 2020

Mars5l said:
I keep a Kershaw Blur Glassbreaker clipped to my visor of my own car. It was a carbide tip on the grip to break glass.

The blur is my preferred knife - I tend to keep a couple on hand as they have a tendency to either disappear or break (I use them pretty hard).

Never seen one with the tip like that. Now I have to go buy another one...

Gordon · Aug 2, 2020

sgt127 said:
It’s amazing what I’ve seen other cops get keyed up about. Probably a case of “I don’t know what that is but, why would you want it in your car?”

I stopped a tiny little older black lady once for blowing a stop sign. 10:00 at night.

I asked for DL and insurance. Handed me the DL and started fishing around in the glove box for insurance. She had to move her 2” Model 10 out of the way.

(This was before it was legal to carry in Texas)

She handed me her insurance...

“Ma’am? You know it’s kinda, sorta illegal for you to carry a gun like that?

“Baby, I work late nights as a telephone operator in South Dallas...”

“ma’am? Have you ever been stopped and searched by the PO-lice?”

“Oh heavens NO Officer!”

“You suppose it might be better to wrap that gun up and tuck it between the seats so I don’t have to see it if I pull you over again? Sure would make life easier for all of us.”

“Oh baby, that’s a fine idea! Thank you!”

“Have a lovely evening ma’am.”

Life was easy back then.

You sir are the breed of Public Servant that huge bronze statues should be erected to ! You are the kind of person makes me still have hope- thank you !

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